Former president Mamnoon Hussain passes away in Karachi

Former president of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain passed away on Wednesday in Karachi, his son Arsalan Mamnoon confirmed. He was 80 years of age.

Hussain was suffering from cancer and was undergoing treatment at a private hospital for the last two weeks, his son said.

Hussain was the 12th president of Pakistan, who served from 2013 to 2018 during the tenure of the PML-N.  He was one of the most senior PML-N leaders.

Originally a businessman, Mamnoon Hussain was born on December 23, 1940, in the Indian city of Agra. He had started his political career as a Muslim Leaguer in 1969. At the time, he was made the joint secretary of the Karachi chapter of the League when former minister of state for foreign affairs Zain Noorani was its president.

The deceased had earned an MBA degree from the prestigious Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi. 

He was actively involved in the PML-N since 1993 when Nawaz Sharif was in the Opposition. Before Hussain was appointed as the governor of Sindh by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in 1999 to serve in this position for less than six months, he worked as an advisor to the provincial chief minister (Liaquat Ali Jatoi) for an insignificant portfolio.

After the promulgation of military rule in October 1999, Hussain firmly stood with Nawaz Sharif when multitudes of PML-N leaders simply abandoned their party.

Condolences

Following the news of Mamnoon Hussain's demise, condolences from the PML-N, other opposition parties, and government leaders started pouring in.

"Deeply shocked and grieved to hear that [former] president Mamnoon Hussain has passed away. What an epitome of grace, humility & nobility he was! Pakistan has lost a great public servant and PML-N an elderly statesman. My heartfelt condolences go to his family," wrote PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif.  

"We are deeply saddened by the death of former President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain. He was a sincere man who served Pakistan with utmost sincerity. May Allah Almighty grant him a place in the tide of mercy. Amen," said PML-N vice-president Maryam Nawaz.

The President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi expressed his condolences over the demise of Hussain and said that he is deeply saddened by the news.

PPP Senator Murtaza Wahab took to Twitter and expressed condolences.

"Heard about the sad news of the death of president Mamnoon Hussain. He served his office with grace & dignity. May Allah SWT bless his soul & give strength to the bereaved family," he wrote.

Foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi tweeted: "My deepest condolences on the passing of former President of Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain. May Allah grant his family the strength to bear this great loss."

"May ALLAH rest (former President of Pakistan) Mamnoon Hussain sb's soul in peace and give his family and friends enough strength to cope with this huge loss," tweeted PTI Senator Faisal Javed Khan.

Similarly, the Ameer of Jamat-i-Islami Sirajul Haq also conveyed his condolences and said a prayer for the departed soul.

"I am deeply saddened to hear of the demise of former president Mamnoon Hussain. To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return. May Allah forgive him and grant patience to his family. Ameen."

Speaker of the National Assembly Asad Qaiser and Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri also expressed their grief and said a prayer. 

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa also expressed his condolences. 

"General Qamar Javed Bajwa, #COAS, expresses heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of former President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain. “May Allah bless his soul & give strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss, Ameen," the DGISPR tweeted.

MQM's Faisal Subzwari and PTI MNA Sher Ali Arbab, and several other politicians also expressed their condolences.